Who are the ladies of F.A.T.? 1st look mini dresses/mini skirt
As native New Yorkers, we see it all. A rainbow of ethnicity's and fashion styles. Its what we are known for. We are the fashion capital of the world, devoting an entire week to fashion. Designers from all over the world come to NYC and dress up beautiful women in all colors (okay, lets be real not all sizes). Beautiful, thin, elongated women strut down a narrow platform to showcase each design. Seats filled full of celebrities and wealthy folk with personally trained bodies. They pick and choose the looks of the season they desire. One after another, patterns of bright colors cascade down the runway. All the while, the assistant, (usually a size 18) dresses and preps the models. Wishing desperately that she could wear something remotely beautiful and form fitting... Here's where we come in – the ladies of F.A.T. (Fashion Approved Trends)
My name is Megan. I'm a 30 year old, Irish/German plus sized woman; born and raised in NYC.... Always a big girl, I spent most of my childhood in stretch pants and big tee-shirts. As my age went up so did my weight. Over the years maturity kicked in. I no longer excepted what my mom thought was fitting for “a girl my size”. So I began to shop around. With age came weight, again. My shape began to change as fast as my style. I struggled in stores like Lane Bryant and Ashley Stewart. Yes they accommodate the bigger women but bigger women who are older and not to fit in with the skinnier trends friends. They carry silky slinky shirts of any color that attaches themselves to your skin. They sell pants that cut my body in the wrong places forcing me to look like I had two set of breasts.
Things weren't working. I could not afford to spend so much money on things that didn't fit right. So I began my wardrobe collection in stores that accommodate my over aged size person. I'd look through racks upon racks of sale items, testing their stretching capacity. I've acquired clothing over the years from Old Navy to K-mart from size Large to 3XL.. all fitting appropriately. Now days I Absolutely live for Forever 21's plus size line.. Their selections are so trendy. I catch numerous “skinny girls” mistaking the plus size clothes for their own sized clothes. Granted, their jean selection is only up to a size 20 (minus the fact that its from a store like Forever 21); so its more like an 18. In a case like mine , I cant wear the F21 pants. My bottom is bigger than my top. Nevertheless the shirt, skirt, and dress collections are right on point. Add a Forever 21 top with a pair of jeans bought from Rainbows' that are cut right for my shape and BAM you look just as good as a size 6.
This season's selection is full of bright colors and mini skirts. At first I thought.. “a mini skirt for women in my size? Really?” So I searched through the selection. My first buy was a black ribbed mini skirt. I put it together with black spandex tights, black calf high boots (also purchased at Forever 21), a blazer, a simple tank top, and some attention grabbing accessories. I was turning heads all day long- and not in that “what the hell is she wearing” kind of way. I was being ogled and hit on every other Manhattan block. Now I own 3 mini's.
So ladies.. this week's F.A.T. Topic is miniskirts. Can a plus sized girl wear them? Yes!!The question is: How? And that's why the ladies of F.A.T. Decided to bring you The Meghaze of NY CHRONICLES
We are going to show you that being plus sized doesn't mean loose and dull.. it means more beauty than some can handle. Let me introduce my partners;
Shaileen also known as The Choice of NYC born and raised in Hells Kitchen New York. A 30 year old Latina living her life as a plus size radio host of Lyrically Live on www.dtfradio.com Saturday evenings at 10pm to 12am. Her and her partner Jeshaze (who Choice manages) do this on-line radio show to support Indie artist trying to be heard. Choice also helps in the coordination of a new clothing line; Dimes Societe by Dimes and Twenys. An apparel company inspired by the living in Washington Heights Manhattan. Check them out at- www.dimesandtwenys.com.
Shaileen aka The Choice of NY's reason for collaborating with F.A.T - “I live for the moment. I enjoy fashion and makeup. One problem is in NY its not so easy to find dope plus size trends. Just cause it is our size, does not mean we have to wear it. We are a trio of gorgeous plus size business women making their mark in NYC one plus size moment at a time. We are plus size women on a mission to encourage,inspire,and build plus size women.”
Jeshaze of West Indian decent, has been plus sized all her life and stands a beautiful at 6 feet tall. Residing in Wahsington Hieghts NYC, Jeshaze is a very blunt and opinionated woman. Like every one of us (woman of all sizes). Jeshaze has her insecurities and issues with being self-conscious. However through it all she is a rising star. Singing since she was 4 years old, Jeshaze is blessing us with her vocal skills and Co-hosting Lyricallylive on www.dtfradio.com, she co-host along side Choice Of NYC. They recently just started a venture becoming coordinators for the new ladies line Dimes Societe.
Jeshaze's reason for doing The Meghaze of NY CHRONICLES - “My momma always says 'regardless how u feel walk with your head high carry yourself with class...' You know that old sayin'- One bad apple spoils the bunch ? When one big girl screws up its on all of us to say something. And a must for EVERY BBW – NEEDS TO OWN HEELS (YES IT HURTS!! even for the skinny girls) no if ands or buts!!! Sexy comes with swagg not your SIZE!.”
Now that we've all been acquainted; Let us begin...
How to wear the mini ? Simple – MINI + a dark colored pair of tight/spandex = SUCCESS!Tight-less is a NO-NO!. No one wants to see all your stuff ladies, and thats coming from the ladies of Fashion Approved Trends.
The Do's and Don't s; Two Yay Looks and One Nay! Look
The First Mini Look- Color Play
Do play with color. Don't be afraid to splash a little color on those curves. We took this Forever 21 Mini Dress with accommodating front leather clasp belt (under 30 dollars. The belt stretches so it's comfortable for a night out on the town. Paired it with a pair of black tights ( purchased at Rainbows; under 7 dollars) and simple red flat (believe it or not purchased at Joyce Leslie!; under 15 dollars) You see ladies you can look GOOD and AFFORD it!
The Second Mini Look- A girls best friend : The Little Black Dress
Do remember black is our best friend. Don't forget to Accessorize! We took this Forever 21 black Mini Dress (under 30 dollars!) with pocket accents and paired it with black tights again, to create an elongated silhouette. The dress it soft and breathable so you can party the night away. We accessorized with Puprle hews. A simple clutch ( Torrid under 20 dollars) and matching sandals ( Torrid under 25 dollars). Sexy and Functional ladies, sexy and functional.
The Do Not under circumstance- LIGHT COLORED stretch material!!!
We purchased our trendy separates at Forever 21 including shoes -(outfit under 30 dollars!) Boots( high wide calf faux suede flats! (under 30 dollars!). Here we see a horrendous fashion no-no. White tight bottom, it clings and shows all of your cellulite! We all have it, we don't all want to see it. And never go tight-less ladies PLEASE ! Also a light colored bottom will always draw attention to the – you know; the crotch blanket,fat man hangy gut, or some call it the kangaroo pouch. Whatever it is, we all have it, we all wish for it to magically dissipate every morning, we all hate it!
So, please take heed to our advise. We are looking out for all of us. Just because they sell it in your size doesn't mean you should wear it! Just because certain trends co-exist ,does not mean you should pair them all together. Have your own style, be unique! Play with trends. Be you. With that said- always remember to stay true to your size. Wear what looks good on YOU not a mannequin in a store.
Keep it Fashionable. Keep it Trendy. And always make sure it's F.A.T. Approved! EMAIL US FOR ADVICE AT LADIESOFFAT@GMAIL.COM
ALL PICTURES TAKEN BY http://www.facebook.com/koolkatfred